Gynecological instrument



May 13, 1930.

A. L. M GOWAN GYNECbLOGICAL INSTRUMENT Filed July 9, 1928 Patented May 13, 1930 PATEN OFFlCE ALDEN I1. MoGOWAN, 0F DAYTON, OHIO GYNECOLOGIGAL INSTRUMENT Application filed July 9, 1928.

This invention relates to devices for treating the vagina, especially the cervix.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved and simple device for 5 applying medicaments in powder form to the vagina, and particularly to the cervix.

Another object is toprovide an lmproved form of instrument which can be readily taken apart and sterilized.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character with means for readily charging it with powder, and with means for indicating the quantity of powder it contains.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the accompanying description and drawings in which one form of embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of an instrument embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the instrument transverse to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one part of the instrument as seen in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation of the powder charging device.

0 In the treatment of certain conditions of the vagina and cervix it is desirable to apply antiseptics and other medicaments to the cervix, and in certain cases it is desirable that a dry powder be used. One of the objections to the use of powder is that it is diificult to apply, and altho devices have been proposed for the application of powder, none of them of which I am aware assure a satisfactory de posit of powder on the cervix. My invention is concerned, among other things, with so constructing an applicator that correct depositing of a sufficient amount of powder on the cervix is assured.

Referring to the drawings, 10 and 11 designate a pair of complementary dilating mem bers or arms, each preferably formed of a loop of stiff wire. The member 10 is longer than the member 11, for a purpose to be ex plained. A powder discharging tube or nozzle 12 having openings 12 is rigidly secured Serial No. 291,179.

to one of the members. The members are pivotally secured together, preferably by pivoting one member to the tube. The pivotal connection is formed by a pair of opposed pivot pins or studs 14twhich are secured to the tube, and cooperating eyes 15 in cars or lugs 16 forming part of the arm 11. In order to permit the arms to be readily disconnected for sterilizing, an open slot 17 communicates with each eye. The pins and slots are so proportioned that the pins can slide along the slots, but have a snug friction fit in the slots so as to prevent unintentional disengagement of the arms. On the opposite side of the pivot from the arm 11 is a handle 18, which being pressed toward the tube, separates the dilating arms.

A powder receiving tube 20 is adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube and is provided at one end with a knob 21 to facilitate the attachment of a rubber blower bulb 22.v Near this end the tube has a perforated powder retaining plate 23 which enables the tube to be filled with powder with out letting powder get into the bulb. The tube is provided either with a slot or a series of holes extending from near its top to a point near the powder retaining plate, which :tacilitate filling the tube with powder as well as indicate how much powder is in the tube. This is preferably a slot 24, and the portion of the receiving tube which is inserted in the discharging tube is slightly larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the discharging tube. The receiving tube is made of elastic or resilient material so that it is yieldingly retained in the discharging tube. The air bulb is provided with the usual air intake 26 having the customary check valve.

To use the device, the receiving tube is removed from the discharging tube and filled with powder. Due to the slot 24, this is readily accomplished simply by plunging the open end of the tube into a receptacle of powder, the slot permitting the air to escape until the tube is filled up to a point near the retaining plate, since air will ordinarily not escape thru the check valve. The dilating arms, close together as in Fig. 1, are inserted in the vagina, either before or after the receiving tube with its charge of powder is placed in the discharging tube. The tip of the longer arm is placed beneath the cervix, and the arms are then separated. The arm 11 is short enuf to clear the cervix. The vagina has now been dilated, and the discharging tube is held pointed directly toward the cervix. When the bulb is squeezed, the blast of air ejects the powder, which is suitablv distributed over the cervix by the notches or openings in the end of the discharging tube.

While I have described and illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but includes other forms and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members pivotally secured together, means for spreading the members apart, and

: powder discharging means rigidly secured ing in combination a pair of complementary dilating members pivotally secured together, one of the members being longer than the other, means for spreading the members apart, and powder discharging means rigidly secured to the longer member.

at. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members pivotally secured together, means for spreading the members apart, and a powder discharging means rigidly secured to one of the members, the relation of said means and the rigidly secured member being such that the means is adapted to discharge powder along the rigidly secured arm.

5. A device of the class described comprising in combination a relatively long member adapted to be inserted in the vagina beneath the cervix, a relatively short member pivoted to the long member, said short member being adapted to clear the cervix and to be separated from the long member to dilate the vagina, and powder discharging means secured to the long member and adapted to dis charge powder on the cervix.

6. In a device of the class described a powder discharging tube, a pair of complementary dilating members secured to the tube, and a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube, said receiving tube having a longitudinal slit and resiliently engaging the walls of the discharging tube.

7. A device of the class described c0mprising a combination a pair of complementary dilating members pivotally secured together, means for spreading the members apart, a powder discharging tube rigidly secured to one of the members, and a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube, said receiving tube having a longitudinal slit and resiliently engaging the Walls of the discharging tube.

8. In a device of the class described a powder discharging tube, a pair of complementary dilating arms secured to the tube, and a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube, said receiving tube having means having one or more openings disposed along its length for indicating the quantity of powder contained therein.

9. A device of the character described comprising in combination a powder discharging tube, a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube, and adapt ed to be connected to a blower, perforated powder retaining means extending across the receiving tube, the receiving tube having one or more openings adjacent the retaining means for indicating the quantity of powder therein.

10. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members pivotally secured together, means for spreading the members apart, a powder discharging tube rigidly secured to one of the members, a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube and adapted to be connected to a blower, perforated powder retaining means extending across the receiving tube, the receiving tube having one or more openings disposed adjacent the retaining means for indicating the quantity of powder therein.

11. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members adapted to have a pivotal engagement, a powder discharging tube rigidly secured to one of the members, a pair of opposed pivot pins on one of the members, a pair of eyes in the other member adapted to form pivot bearings for the pins, and open slots communicating with the eyes whereby the pins can be inserted in and removed from the eyes.

12. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members adapted to have a pivotal engagement, a powder discharging tube rigidly secured to one of the members, a pair of opposed pivot pins on one of the members, a pair of eyes in the other member adapted to form pivot bearin s for the pins, and open slot-s communicating with the eyes whereby the pins can be inserted in and removed from the eyes, the slots and pins having a tight frictional fit to prevent unintentional disengagement of the complementary members.

13. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members adapted to have a pivotal engagement, a powder discharging tube rigidly secured to one of the members, a pair of opposed pivot pins on one of the members, a pair of eyes in the other member adapted to form pivot bearings for the pins, open slots communicating with the eyes whereby the pins can be inserted in and removed from the eyes, the slots and pins having a tight frictional fit to prevent unintentional disengagement of the complementary members, and a powder receiving tube adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube and to be connected to a blower, said receiving tube having openings to indicate the quantity of powder in the tube, and perforated powder retaining means in the tube adjacent the openings.

14;. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members and a detachable pivot joint for said members including a pair of opposed pivot pins secured to one member, a pair of eyes in the other member adapted to receive the pins, and open slots communicating with the eyes to permit the insertion and removal of the ins.

15. A device of the class described comprising in combination a pair of complementary dilating members and a detachable pivot joint for said members including a pair of opposed pivot pins secured to one member, a pair of eyes in the other member adapted to receive the pins, and open slots communicating with the eyes to permit the insertion and removal of the pins, the dimensions of the pins and slots being such as to provide a tight frictional fit between the pins and slots to prevent unintentional disengagement of the members.

16. In a device of the class described a powder discharging tube, a pair of complementary dilating members secured to the tube, and a powder receiving tube. adapted to be inserted in the discharging tube, said receiving tube resiliently engaging the walls of the discharging tube.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

ALDEN L. MCGOWAN. 

